The Biological Causes of Abnormal Behavior Explained
Biological Causes of Abnormal Behaviour
Biological factors play a crucial role in mental disorders, including inherited traits, biochemical imbalances, brain abnormalities, and stress responses. These affect all personality aspects and have special significance in abnormal behavior development.
Abnormal behavior never occurs suddenly in a person, rather it has a definite history. Three types of ideologies have been adopted to explain the causes of abnormal behavior - biological perspective, psychosocial perspective and sociocultural perspective. Each school of thought has made a successful attempt to explain abnormal behavior from a different perspective.
To Remember Studies conducted by clinical psychologists and other experts have made it clear that apart from these specific causes of abnormal behavior, there are some general causes as well, which have been divided into the following four parts on the basis of their nature
1.1 Primary Causes
1.2 Predisposing Causes
1.3 Precipitating Causes
1.4 Reinforcing Causes
Note: Primary, Predisposing, Precipitating, and Reinforcing causes are all interconnected in understanding abnormal behaviour.
1.1 Primary Causes:
This refers to the conditions which are considered necessary to cause the
disorder. For example, for a mental disorder like general paresis to occur, it
is essential to have syphilis in the brain. The primary cause is considered
necessary for the occurrence of a mental disorder but it is not always
considered a sufficient cause. The basic reason for this is that there are many
mental diseases which do not have any primary cause.
1.2 Predisposing Causes:
It includes those conditions or factors which arise before the occurrence of the abnormality and increase the possibility of abnormality in a particular situation. For example, rejection by parents is one such factor which causes various adjustment problems and abnormal behavior in children. Clearly, such a predisposing factor, being already present in the person, increases the tendency towards abnormality.
1.3 Precipitating Causes:
It refers to those factors which are beyond the tolerance of the person at present and create a distortion in him. For example, if a person faces unexpected failure in some work, he gets a lot of disappointment and frustration which later creates abnormal behavior in the person.
1.4 Reinforcing Cause:
It includes those factors or conditions which reinforce the abnormal behaviour that is already taking place. For example, when a person falls ill, the family members show him a lot of attention and sympathy and also relieve him of many responsibilities. All these factors indirectly reinforce the person to fall ill again so that he can get sympathy again and get rid of responsibilities.
Conclusion: In conclusion, it can be said that some common factors also play an important role in causing abnormal behavior or mental disorder.
2. Biological Causes of Abnormal Behaviour
Biological factors play an important role in the origin of abnormality or mental disorder.
It refers to all those factors which are present in a person directly or indirectly from birth or before and later help in the origin of abnormal behaviour in some way or the other. Clearly, then factors like heredity, biochemical disturbance, physical constitution, endocrine glands, brain damage etc. are included in it. The nature of biological factors is such that it affects all aspects of personality. This is the reason why it has special importance in the origin of normal and abnormal behaviour. Studies done in this regard have revealed that the following five factors play an important role in the origin and development of abnormal behaviour.
2.1 Genetic Defects
2.2 Constitutional Factors
2.3 Biochemical Factors
2.4 Brain Dysfunction
2.5 Bodily Stress Factors
All of these are described one by one as follows.
2.1 Genetic Defects
Generally, heredity refers to a process by which the traits of ancestors reach the children. The truth is that when a woman's egg cell (cgg cell) gets impregnated by meeting a man's sperm cell, then the embryo formed in it receives a genetic code. This process is called heredity. This genetic code regulates and develops the behavior of a person throughout his life. Heredity has a direct impact on the behavior of a person. As a result, any kind of defect in it directly leads to abnormal behavior or mental disorder. The defects coming under this, which cause abnormality, are divided into the following two parts-
(a) Chromosomal anomalies
(b) Faulty genes
The description of both of them is as follows:
(a) Chromosomal Anomalies-
Chromosomal abnormality refers to deviation in the normal number and structure of chromosomes. This type of deviation gives rise to various types of abnormal behavior. In the cell nucleus of a human being, there is a chain-like structure in which genes are present, which is called chromosome. Now when a woman's egg cell is fertilized by a man's sperm, then generally it contains 23 pairs of chromosomes - one chromosome of each pair is received from the mother and one chromosome from the father. Out of this, 22 pairs of chromosomes are called autosomes which determine the general physical characteristics of a person and the 23rd pair is of sex chromosome which determines the sex of the child. Among chromosomal abnormalities, the following five types of abnormalities are more prominent-
(i) Trisomy 13- In this type of chromosomal abnormality, an extra chromosome is found in the 13th pair of chromosomes, which causes brain abnormalities in the person and his behaviour becomes abnorml.
(ii) Trisomy 18-
Here there is an extra chromosome in the 18th pair of chromosomes. This leads to heart related problems.
(ii) Trisomy 21-In this type of chromosomal abnormality, an extra chromosome is found in the 21st pair of chromosomes, which causes the child to suffer from mental retardation called Down syndrome.
(iv) Trisomy 23-It is related to sexual chromosomal abnormality in males. Here the condition is like XXY and as a result they lack masculinity. It is also called Klinefelter syndrome.
(v) Monosomy 23-It is related to sexual chromosomal abnormality in women. Here XO condition is found. Sometimes XXX condition is also seen here. It is also called Turner's syndrome.
(b) Faulty Genes-
Among the genes located at different places on the chromosome, some genes are dominant and some are recessive in nature. The instructions of dominant genes are implemented despite the opposition of recessive genes. But when many recessive genes interact with each other and issue instructions, then this instruction is implemented despite the opposition of the dominant one. The result of this is that the person's brain chemistry gets disturbed and his behavior becomes abnormal. This fact has been supported by studies done on dizygotic twins and monozygotic twins.
2.2 Constitutional Factors
Studies done in this regard have made it clear that some special and faulty structural factors play an important role in the origin of abnormal behaviour. Some of the main structural factors which give rise to abnormal behaviour are as follows-
(a) Physique
(b) Physical handicaps
(c) Primary reaction tendencies
All these are described one by one as follows.
(a) Body Build or Physique- In some initial studies, an attempt has been made to show the relation of body build with mental disorder and personality development. The first attempt in this was made by Sheldon (1954) in which three types of body build were discussed- Endomorphy, Mesomorphy and Ectomorphy. Sheldon said that in stressful situations, people with these three types of body build display different types of abnormal behavior. For example, in endomorphs, there is a high possibility of manic depressive psychosis, in mesomorphs, anti-social behavior and in ectomomorphs, there is a high possibility of schizophrenia and anxiety neurosis. Although this idea was later criticized, recently physical unattractiveness has been found to play an important role in the origin of mental disorders. Clearly, the presence of different types of anatomical factors plays an important role in the origin of mental disorders.
(b) Physical handicaps Whether the handicap is congenital or is caused by environmental factors, in both the cases it has been found to cause mental abnormality or abnormal behaviour. For example, children whose birth weight is less than 5.5 pounds are more likely to suffer from mental disorders such as mental deficiency, emotional adjustment problems etc. in future. Similarly, in pregnant mothers, excessive emotional disturbance leads to the birth of premature child, who is more likely to suffer from various mental diseases in future. Similarly, mental abnormalities and adjustment-related problems are also caused due to disability caused by environmental factors.
(c) Primary reaction tendencies- Primary reaction tendencies refer to the innate tendency due to which a person reacts to the environment. Such tendencies are considered to be constitutional and not hereditary because such tendencies are more influenced by the prenatal environment. Studies in this regard have made it clear that 7 to 10% of children have defective primary reaction tendencies, due to which abnormal behavior develops rapidly in them.
🧠💡 Psych Tip:
It can be said that the Constitutional Model explains abnormal behaviour through factors that are related to the constitution or structure of the body. However, in view of the facts obtained from modern studies, its importance is automatically decreasing.
2.3 Biochemical Factors
Biochemical model has an important place in explaining abnormal behaviour and it was propounded around 1950. This model explains abnormality in terms of some chemical substances such as lack of nutritious food, lack of vitamins and minerals, lack of hormones etc. They are described as follows
(a) Chemical Elements- An important chemical in our body is Acetelcholine which helps in the functioning of the nervous system and prevents it from reoccurring. Studies have shown that convulsions are caused due to the absence of normal amount of Acetylcholine in the Cerebrospinal Fluid. Nowadays, the chemicals of the Catecholamine group which includes Norepinephrine or Noradrenalin and Dopamine and the chemicals of the Indoleamine group which includes Serotonin are considered more important in the origin of abnormal behaviour. The contribution of these chemicals in the explanation of abnormality is done through two types of assumptions. These hypotheses are- (i) Catecholamine hypothesis and (ii) Indoleamine hypothesis. According to the Catecholamine hypothesis, deficiency of Catecholamine in the central nervous system makes the organism calm and slow and its excess makes the organism excited. That is, its deficiency causes mental diseases like depression and its excess causes mental diseases like emotional disturbance. Similarly, according to the Indoleamine hypothesis, deficiency in the amount of serotonin causes mental states like depression and its excess causes mental states like emotional excitement.
(b) Lack of Nutrition-Latest studies have made it clear that the tissues of the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves are damaged in a person's body.
Children depend on the nutritious food taken by them and maintain their efficiency. Lack of nutritious food hinders the physical and mental development of the child. According to a study, there is a positive correlation between the amount of unnutritious food and intellectual ability.
✨ Focus Tip:
According to Sharma (1973), lack of nutritious food causes mental weakness.
In some studies, deficiency of minerals and vitamins has also been found to cause abnormal behaviour. For example, according to Winick (1970), deficiency of magnesium in the diet of pregnant mothers causes physical deformity and different types of psychological disturbances in children.
Similarly, deficiency of vitamins like Thiamine B etc. has been found to cause many types of physical and mental symptoms.
(c) Hormones and Abnormal Behavior- The substances released from endocrine glands are called hormones. These hormones directly enter the blood and affect personality development and human behavior. According to many studies like Sachhar and his colleagues (Sachar et al. 1973), excess of cortisol is found in mental patients. According to Hamburg (1968), deviation from the normal level of progesterone increases suicide, aggressiveness, etc. in women. Similarly, abnormal symptoms like loud screaming, mental depression are also shown by women in case of deficiency of progesterone.
🧠💡 Conclusion:
In conclusion, it can be said that the biochemical model explains abnormality in terms of a variety of biological and chemical factors.
2.4 Brain Dysfunction
This model explains abnormal behaviour on the basis of physical damage to the brain which is caused by any reason such as brain injury, infection, intoxication, old age, brain tumour. All these factors are described as follows.
a) Brain Injury-Brain injury has been seen to cause abnormal behaviour and personality disorganization. This type of injury causes neurological changes in the brain which result in abnormal behaviour and personality disorganization. The type of psychological symptoms a person will show due to brain injury depends on the extent of injury and the part of the brain that is injured. However, its common symptoms include illusion, defective memory, disturbances in vision and sensory perception, disordered thinking, etc.
(b) Infection- Studies in this regard have made it clear that the microscopic germs of an infectious disease have a direct effect on the nervous system, which produces different types of abnormal symptoms. One such major infectious disease is brain syphilis. In this, many types of physical and psychological symptoms are seen. Stuttering, stammering, unclear handwriting, lack of coordination in the movement of hands and feet etc. are the main physical symptoms and mental symptoms mainly include loss of memory and decision making ability, inability to perceive contradiction in thoughts and behavior, emotional instability etc. Apart from all this, such persons disrespect social standards and openly engage in anti-social behavior.
(c) Intoxication- Intoxication has a clear effect on the mental functions of a person. Alcohol affects the entire body but it has a widespread effect on the tissues of the central nervous system. Its effects mainly include distortion in speech and vision, lack of natural coordination, high blood pressure, paralysis etc. Apart from this, abnormal behavior is also caused by drug dependency. Under this, powerful sedatives, opium, cocaine, marijuana, hallucinogens etc. are the main ones which cause abnormality. People who are dependent on these intoxicating drugs are called drug addicts.
(d) Degenerative changes-One of the causes of brain damage is old age. In old age, both physical and mental powers decline rapidly, which causes many problems. In this stage, many types of distortions related to endurance, physical resistance, visual perception and auditory perception etc. arise. Apart from this, adjustment related problems also make the behaviour of a person abnormal.
Apart from the above factors, there are many other reasons which cause brain damage. Stroke, brain tumor etc. are the main ones. This also causes abnormality or abnormal behavior or mental disorder in a person.
🧠💡 Conclusion:
To sum up then it can be said that the brain dysfunction model explains the causes of abnormal behaviour on the basis of some organ damage due to various reasons.
2.5 Bodily Stress Model
This model explains abnormal behaviour in terms of stress which is a bodily condition. Physical conditions like stress may arise due to a number of factors called stressors. There are two types of stressors- physical stressors and psychosocial stressors. Very loud noises, bright lights, very low or high temperatures are examples of physical stressors. Failure in various fields, indecisiveness, mental conflict, disappointment or frustration, feeling of insecurity, feeling of guilt or guilt etc. are examples of major psychological stressors.
In explaining abnormal behaviour, the greatest emphasis on stress theory was given by the research of Hans Selye. He developed the concept of General Adaptation Syndrome in 1952. It has three stages-
(a) Phase of initial alarm reaction
(b) Resistance phase
(c) Exustion phase
In the first stage, the person gets a warning that he is surrounded by some fearful or psychosocial factors which are a matter of concern for him. In the second stage, very important biochemical changes take place in the person's body which is a kind of defensive reaction and finally in the third stage, the person starts having physical and mental disturbances. On reaching this stage, clear symptoms of abnormality can be seen.
🧠💡 Conclusion:
To sum up it can be said that according to the stress model, the root cause of abnormal behaviour in a person is some physical and psychosocial factors which create stress in a person.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the primary biological cause of abnormal behaviour? A genetic defect such as chromosomal anomalies can be a primary cause.
Q2: Can nutrition affect mental health? Yes. Lack of vitamins and minerals, especially in prenatal and early life stages, contributes to abnormal behaviour.
Q3: How does stress influence abnormal behaviour? Prolonged stress disrupts biochemical balance and brain functioning, leading to disorders.
📚 Sources & References
Sharma, 1973. Nutrition and Mental Health.
Sachhar et al., 1973. Hormonal imbalance and behaviour.
Hamburg, 1968. Endocrine factors in abnormal psychology.
Winick, 1970. Vitamin deficiency and psychological outcomes.
Caston, Butcher,& Coleman. Abnormal psychology and Modern Life
Abdur Rahim is a multifaceted artist,educator, and writer. He is a renowned Shershabadia singer, songwriter, and composer, celebrated for his contributions to the preservation and modernization of Shershabadia pop,rap,and folk culture.
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